Looking Forward to Move Forward
The Association of Women Surgeons is pleased to launch "Looking Forward to Move Forward," a new series dedicated to highlighting the thoughts of fantastic women surgeons and surgeons-in-training on mentorship, AWS, and hopes for the future of surgery.
Alessandra Mele, MD
Mount Auburn Hospital, Cambridge MA
Who has served as a mentor to you?
Dixie Mills, Susan Pories, Claire Cronin
How have your mentors impacted your surgical career?
The impact that my mentors have had on my career goes well beyond being a role model and offering support in times of transition and growth: they were also phenomenal sponsors and helped fast-forward my career, enabling me to become a breast center director just 3 years out of training. They gave me the opportunity, and I felt comfortable stepping into a leadership role so early in my career because I knew I could count on them for support and coaching as I learned to navigate this new role.
What impact has AWS and AWSF had on your path to surgery?
I attended my first AWS meeting as a medical student, and the feeling I get when I go to the meetings has not changed: the inspiration and energy that you breathe in these gatherings is unparalleled. As I progress in my career, the AWS network and events become a powerful way to make connections and continue to grow professionally.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished, either in your personal career or in the larger surgical community?
I would love to see a bit of a cultural shift in the surgery world, where “mentoring” is viewed as an important performance metric when evaluating candidates for jobs or simply when giving feedback as part of the annual review. The ability to help other people grow and become the best version of themselves (i.e. the definition of a mentor!) should be viewed as equally important as how many RVUs are being generated. This will serve as an incentive for surgeons to nurture those mentoring skills and to invest the time in growing the next generation of surgical leaders.
Diana Otoya, MD
General Surgery Resident
Virginia Commonwealth University
Who has served as a mentor to you?
Dr. Michael Amendola and Dr. Kedar Lavingia
How have mentors impacted your career?
During my intern year, Drs. Amendola and Lavingia made me feel welcomed and sparked my interest in vascular surgery. They often provided introspective discussions about my career and included me in projects/research/panels that have immensely impacted my clinical and leadership skills.
What impact have AWS & AWSF had on your path to surgery?
I was part of the AWS SURGERY Reviewer Academy this past year which was a very positive and helpful mentorship program that allowed me to grow as a researcher. It allowed me to network with more women surgeons and receive important insight on how to become an academic surgeon.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished in the larger surgical community?
There is still work to be done to include women, predominantly minority women, in the field of surgery! As a trainee, I would love to see more women in leadership roles who will continue to inspire future trainees.
Fariha Sheikh, MD
Assistant Professor
Rutgers New Jersey Medical School
Who has served as a mentor to you?
Dr. David Livingston, Dr. Anastasia Kunac, Dr. Oluyinka Olutoye
How have mentors impacted your career?
My mentors have always guided me to pursue my interests that would benefit me the most They have always guided me beyond just my career, but also my personal life which in turn has made a difference in my career.
What impact have AWS & AWSF had on your path to surgery?
AWS has allowed me to meet other women in surgery who can understand similar struggles. These women are also inspirations for me in my career and personal life.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished in the larger surgical community?
I aim to be a program director so that I can help trainees the way my mentors have pointed me toward the right direction and helped me overcome struggles.
Kristen Donohue, MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Rutgers / Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital
Who has served as a mentor to you?
Dr. Nell Maloney Patel
How have mentors impacted your career?
My mentors have impacted my surgical career in every way. They have shaped the type of doctor that I am for my patients, how I interact with referring and collaborating physicians, and how I show up to work every day. Almost more importantly, they have taught me how to be both a surgeon and a woman and a wife and a mother.
What impact have AWS & AWSF had on your path to surgery?
Initially as a medical student I had convinced myself that surgery was not a career for me, because I knew I wanted to have a family and was worried about 'work life balance'. AWS introduced me to strong female surgeon role models, and these interactions showed me that I could and should pursue a career in surgery. There is nothing that women cannot accomplish professionally, especially when we support each other. I have now taken on the role of the faculty advisor for our current medical students AWS group and hope to impact other women with interests in surgery in the same way.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished in the larger surgical community?
I would love to see women become the majority not only in surgical specialties, but in hospital administration, residency programs and national societies. Women make wonderful leaders and can impact patients, trainees and hospital systems by continuing to lift each other up.
Amber Maria Sheth, MD MPH
Resident Representative
Association of Out Surgeons & Allies
Who has served as a mentor to you?
Drs. Sharon Weber, Lauren Nosanov, Alexis Moren, Andrew Schlussel, and Jackie Garonzik Wang
How have mentors impacted your career?
My mentors push me to think beyond my goals and towards my dreams. They have given me opportunities for both career and research development and make me feel like I have a place in surgery. Having the wonderful mentorship and sponsorship that I've had opened up doors that I didn't even know existed!
What impact have AWS & AWSF had on your path to surgery?
Both the AWS and AWSF have given me a community of surgeons who are passionate about what they do. I struggle with imposter syndrome so having the acceptance and support of fellow women surgeons makes a world of difference as I go through residency!
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished, either in your personal career or in the larger surgical community?
It is my personal and professional goal for LGBTQ+ people to feel accepted, welcomed, and celebrated when they seek surgical care.
Abra H. Shen, MD
PGY-3, Plastic Surgery
University of Washington
AWS and AWSF Recognitions
- 2022 AWS 40 Under 40
- 2021 Dr. Patricia Numann Outstanding Medical Student Award
- 2020 AWS Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Conference Award
Who has served as a mentor to you?
Dr. Susan Pories
How have mentors impacted your career?
My mentors have supported me from medical school to residency and have always generously given me their time, support, and confidence, which are invaluable to an aspiring surgeon. They continue to provide sponsorship for opportunities I didn’t even know could be available to me. I will always be grateful to them for investing in me and my dreams.
What impact have AWS and AWSF had on your path to surgery?
From attending AWS annual meetings, to serving on the AWS National Medical School Committee, to working the surgery attendings at my residency program, I’ve met so many amazing women surgeons through AWS and AWSF. I’ve gained leadership skills and made lifelong friends. I feel comfortable reaching out to any AWS member for support and hope to be able to offer the same to future trainees.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished, either in your personal career or in the larger surgical community?
In the larger surgical community, I’m optimistic that there will continue to be wide-ranging collaborations that advance our knowledge and practices. I also wish for more programs and support for people from diverse backgrounds to learn about and pursue surgical careers. As for myself, I hope to be able to serve as a mentor to future trainees and be an excellent surgeon for my patients.
Anna Olds, MD
Cardiothoracic Surgery Resident
University of Southern California
Who has served as a mentor to you thus far in your career?
Dr. Nell Maloney Patel and Dr. Leonard Lee
How have mentors impacted your career?
I've been fortunate to have many mentors thus far. Dr. Nell Maloney Patel helped me start my medical school's chapter of AWS in 2018 and was an inspiration to me when I was thinking about the possibilities for my career in surgery. Dr. Leonard Lee has been a consistent mentor in the field of cardiac surgery for me since I was a second year medical student - he has continued to promote and support me, as well as be a role model for the type of surgeon and leader I aspire to be.
What impact have AWS and AWSF had on your path to surgery?
I started my medical school's (Rutgers RWJMS) chapter of AWS in 2018 as a third year medical student, and it has had a lasting legacy at my school. AWS resources, mentors, and networking opportunities have inspired me and encouraged me to pursue my dreams. Seeing women surgeons with both career and personal successes has motivated me to continue pursuing my goals.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished, either in your personal career or in the larger surgical community?
I am looking forward to starting the second half of my training in cardiothoracic surgery fellowship in July 2024 and truly learning how to be a cardiac surgeon. I recently completed a research project on infertility and pregnancy complications in female cardiothoracic surgeons that I am hopeful will lead to larger systemic changes to protect maternal-fetal well-being in my field. I'm also involved in various wellness task forces within our national organizations and I'm hopeful that the surgical community will continue to work towards prioritizing surgeon wellness.
Palca Shibale, MD MS
Who has served as a mentor to you thus far in your career?
Dr(s): Sherene Shalhub, Angela Gibson, Lauren Nosanov, and Lee Wilke
How have your mentors impacted your surgical career?
My mentors are amazing!! Early mentorship is the reason I chose surgery as a career. They continue to support my growth, serve as a source of knowledge, help me set goals and maintain accountability.
What impact has AWS and AWSF had on your path to surgery?
It has served as a source of community and inspiration seeing so many other women choose and thrive in surgery! Especially so as a Black Woman.
What are you looking forward to seeing accomplished, either in your personal career or in the larger surgical community?
I want to see decreased racial disparities in both surgical care and outcomes . I plan to be involved in local and/or national renewal of initiatives aiming to improve healthcare equity.
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